Things Fall Apart Chapters 9-11

Chapter 9 For the first time in days, Okonkwo sleeps. Ekwefi bangs on Okonkwo’s door and tells him Ezinma is dying. Okonkwo determines that Ezinma has a fever and goes to the bush to collect the ingredients needed to make the medicine for her. Ezinma and Ekwefi have a close relationship. Out of ten children Ezinma is the only survivor. Ekwefi is Okonkwo’s second wife, who ran away from her first husband to live with Okonkwo.

Chapter 9 After the death of Ekwefi second child, Okonkwo goes to a medicine man who tells him the second child is an ogbanje, an evil child that reenters the mother’s womb only to die again and again. The medicine man destroys the body of the dead child in order to prevent it from coming again and buried it in the Evil Forest. In the novel, the Evil Forest is located across the stream from the village where anything that was not condoned by the religion of Umuofia was sent.

Chapter 9 Ezinma is born a sickly child, but comes through each illness determined to live. When Ezinma’s iyi-uwa, her physical link to the world is found, Ekwefi allows herself to believe that Ezinma just might be in the world to stay. Still, each time Ezinma becomes ill, Ekwefi is terrified that this illness would carry her child from her world.

Chapter 9 When Okonkwo returns with a bag full of grasses and leaves, he mixes them together. When the medicine is ready, Okonkwo places Ezinma on a stool near the steaming pot and covers the child with a mat. The strong steam causes Ezinma to cry. Finally, after the mat is removed, Ezinma lays down and falls fast to sleep.

Chapter 10 The village gathers at the ceremonial place waiting for the trials to begin. Three men and one woman – Mgbafo and her brothers stand before the elders. The egwugwu, the clans ancestral spirits, emerge from a hut, masked, and take the nine empty stools in order of seniority Shhhh! Okonkwo is the egwugwu from his village, but no one was supposed to know.

Chapter 10 Uzowulu stands before the egwugwu and states his case. He tells how he was beaten by his in-laws and his wife and children were taken from him. Owing them nothing, Uzowulu explains he wants his wife back. The woman’s brothers speak of Uzowulu’s cruelty toward their sister. They took her from Uzowulu’s hut to save her life.

Chapter 10 They agree to return Mgbafo if Uzowulu vows to change his ways; if he does not, the brother will ruin his manhood. The egwugwu find in favor of Mgbafo. They tell Uzowulu to beg his in-laws for forgiveness. After these findings another group comes before the egwugwu, and the great land case begins.

Chapter 11 After Okonkwo finishes his dinner, Ekwefi tells a folk story about a greedy and cleaver tortoise. Ezinma begins to tell her story; Chielo tells Ekwefi that Agbala, the Oracle, wants to see Okonkwo’s daughter, Ezinma. Okonkwo wants Agbala to wait until morning, but is reminded not to defy a god’s will. Chielo puts Ezinma on her back and refuses to let anyone follow; Ekwefi follows anyway.

Chapter 11 Chielo visits the nine villages before reaching Agbala’s cave. Ekwefi stays outside. If needed, Ekwefi will defend Ezinma; even if it means standing against all the gods in the world. Ekwefi hears a noise. She sees Okonkwo standing with a machete in his hand. He waits with Ekwefi. As they sit Ekwefi is reminded of when she ran away from her first husband to be Okonkwo’s wife.